By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito CISD Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón announced Friday that 16 of the district’s 17 campuses acquired an accountability rating of “Met Standard.”
It was Frank Roberts Elementary School, according to Limón, that was the sole campus to receive a rating of “Improvement Required.”
The official ratings came Thursday, Aug. 7, when 28 distinction designations were also awarded to SBCISD – 15 of which, according to Limón, were “earned at the elementary school level.” The middle schools accounted for eight, and San Benito High School and San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy accounted for four distinctions.
The maximum amount of distinctions attainable is six for SBHS, four for VMA, seven per middle school and six for elementary campuses – a total of 103 possible designations.
Rangerville Elementary received five distinctions of a possible six and Riverside Middle School earned four of a possible seven.
Concerning Frank Roberts, Limón said the campus was two points shy of the Index 1 target – a Texas Education Agency method of scoring – despite exceeding Indexes 2-4.
On the results, Yliana González of the SBCISD Board of Trustees said, “There’s always room for growth at the campuses. We would expect that with the rigor that comes with the STAAR and end-of-course assessment that we’re able to meet those standards, and not just meet them but exceed them.”
González added, “Obviously there are areas that need to be addressed, and we can’t just settle for 28 distinctions since we can obtain much more than that, but I’m proud that we were able to obtain 28 distinctions. Kudos to them (campuses). We just don’t want to mislead the community that the district is doing fantastic when there’s significant room for growth.”
Board President Arnold Padilla echoed González’ sentiments, stating, “We’re definitely not satisfied with that status entirely. We want to continue to move forward, but it’s a start, and we’re happy that there’s been some moderate movement forward and continue to look forward to better scores in the future.”
Limón added, “We can get more distinctions, and that’s what we’re shooting for is to increase the number of distinctions.”
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Limon or Lemon whatever people what to call him needs to step down so the school can have a postive direction in this competive world with him there the school district will always be judged and who wil pay the the children,students but does Limon care the answer is no. He only cares about himself and laughing all the way to the bank when taking the taxpayers money. People need to do something about your childrens future and get that Man from hurting your children and the school district .
I think an easy way to sort out some of this teacher student argument is to simply publish/have on file a resume of each teacher/administrator employed by the district.This is as required in most cases in private industry.Then we the parents could see exactly what we have for our students.This is perhaps the only industry I am aware of that doesn’t have this requirement,why is that,are they afraid of something,or feel they are above such requirements ?
What industry publishes resumés? Wow! I’m all for transparency but to have a resumé out for the public to peruse at their own leisure…. Now that’s absurd…. In any case, teachers are “highly qualified” to teach your children unless they don’t meet the standards of a “highly qualified” teacher. If your child is not being taught by a “highly qualified” teacher (because they lack teacher’s certification but have a bachelor’s degree), the district is required to notify the parents in writing. Teach for America teachers fall into this category. They are usually working on their certification while teaching your children. Parents are informed of this. To ask to see a resumé is absolutely absurd and demeaning to any teacher. Besides, there are plenty of “bad” teachers out there that look stellar and awesome on paper…..
Sad but true, what is a distinction? Name a few of 103. How do you calculate if a distinction is met? If any district is better than having your children here, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Its saddening when Mr Limon takes pride in stating that 16 out of 17 schools met standard and that getting only 28 distinctions is a big deal. 28 out of 103 possible distinctions equates to only 27% success! That is certainly not something to pride ourselves in. Obviously something isn’t being done right in our schools and its about time Mr. Limon get to work. Take a genuine interest in the success of our kids! Its only a matter of stepping out of your ‘throne’ and doing something productive for a change. Because at the rate this district is going, any district is better than having my children here. Seems as though my children are being set up for failure as they enter the real world.
All my kids graduated from this district. Three already graduated from the university and one is still in college. All are very successfully employed or doing well in school. Like them SBCISD has prepared many other successful students. Does the district provide success for all students? Apparently not, whose fault is it? I am sure a parent has no blame at all for the failure of a child. It is so much earlier to blame the district. I took time to visit website with all info. Met Standard is Met Standard according to those that designed it with all the different index 1, 2, 3, 4… It almost takes a space x employee to figure all this out. However, a district that Met Standard in North Texas is equal to one in South Texas. Met Standard is Met Standard. The distinctions are something else, by way Downs elementary didn’t have any, that I have yet to understand how they can fairly calculate those. With that being said SBCISD is doing as good as 80% of the neighboring district. So stop putting you district down!
…. I m NOT Defending the school board or Mr Limon.. but they not only to blame for the Downfall of this district .. I also blame Parents who dont give their children advice about how important learning in school is… PLUS MANY TEACHERS are also to blame for not doing their jobs . MANY TEACHERS DONT CARE ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS ACADEMICS, they dont have compassion or care , many are rude , I write this because my children tell me and I have relatives who are in elementary and middle school ..think about that when your kids.. you how their teachers treat them and other students. PARENTS NEED TO TALK /Ask their children ABOUT day at school and what they learned. In my opinion EVERYONE is to blame for the pathedic, downfall of this district. Principals please if your students complain about their teacher… take it seriously.. dont ignore the problem no matter who the teachers are. What is one of many schools mottos.. STUDENTS COME FIRST.. THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN.. IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.. THEY ARE THE FUTURE!
Parents…. listen to your children but also remember that there is another side to every story.. I know that your child is your child but a teacher is hardly every just “mean” to any child. Your child will say the teacher is “mean” and “just doesn’t like me”. My children have told me the same BUT I also ask “WHY do you say your teacher is mean?” Don’t ask your children questions that they can answer with a quick yes or no… Have them explain and elaborate (which, by the way, are two things that your children are asked to do on a daily basis on their school work). Don’t let them get away with “I don’t know… the teacher just doesn’t like me…” There has to be a reason. And if they can’t justify it, talk to their teacher, don’t automatically jump the gun and run straight to the principal or nearest school board member. I can guarantee that if you talk to the teacher, there is ALWAYS more to the story than what your child is telling you…. As a parent, you are expected to protect your child but don’t cripple them by blindly supporting them when they have a difference of opinion with their educators. Show your children the RIGHT way to handle things and get all the information BEFORE rushing to judgement and just assuming that MANY TEACHERS DON’T CARE ABOUT STUDENTS ACADEMICS, ARE JUST PLAIN RUDE, AND DON’T CARE OR HAVE COMPASSION FOR THEIR STUDENTS. What a terrible blanket accusation to level against the very teachers that have been entrusted to teach your children to be successful. There are bad apples in every profession (read the news, plenty of examples there) but you will find the majority of teachers are not how you describe them. There are plenty that go above and beyond what is expected of them. Unfortunately, those good apples seem to be drowned out by the few bad ones out there. So, in conclusion, I’m asking that parents invest the TIME and INTEREST in their child’s education. That will be one step in the RIGHT direction for all children in this district.
Editor, thank you for explaining the in depth the scoring process for our campuses. So we “met standard” seriously, 28 out of 110 distinctions. I’m sorry but that’s subpar and nothing to brag about. I like the way Mr.Limon try’s to mislead our community that his doing a great job when in reality this is a direct reflection of his leadership and poor asst. Super Celeste waste of tax payer dollars. When’s the school board gonna do the right thing – never! They gave this man a 2 year contract and continue to pay him $169k a year to put our kids in harms way and provide horrible education. Mr.Limon and the board that brought him back should be extremely ashamed of yourself because you guys are simply followers and not leaders of our community. Thank you – useless board … Vote stupid and this is exactly what you get.. I’m pulling my kids of of this horrible district..
You really should be disgusted with YLIANA!!! She is supposed to be in the “education” field, yet all she did as soon as she gained control of the board was waste money on her own personal agendas. Padding her buddies pockets. Shame on you, YLIANA! Shame, Shame, SHAME!!!! And your little friends, June and the Huerta too!
Never once did they focus on children education. What I think they should all try is taking a trip of a life time that will make them rethink their priorities in life . Either they are there sitting quietly or discussing ways to spend more money . What will they do to create a better academic curriculum beside fixing the AC or finding ways to waste more money on investigation of wrong doings? It seems they are always trying to act like accountants or lawyers rather than people who are interested in bring about a better academic currliclum of resources and instruction to the district. Where is my IPOD? Introduce standards where students can or must take weekend class to cover more Math. Shorter summer vacations. But most of all pay teachers more money and get with a competitive and attractive teacher salaries for our school district. Recruit teachers with Master degrees in their fields, PHD ‘s invest in our teachers and they will bring our students higher standards. Have a Gary Oldman moment : Benny? bring me everyone. What do you mean everyone?
EvereeeeyOne!!!! Goooooo Greyhounds!